Disney’s going to take a crack at Arthurian legend with their live-action version ofThe Sword in the Stone. The studio’s 1963 Oscar-nominated animated feature was the last to be released beforeWalt Disney’s death, and now it’s but the latest in a long line of reboots, reimaginings, and reworkings of their existing titles. That film was a very lighthearted take onT.H. White’s novel of the same name, itself a part of “The Once and Future King” collection. But as Disney’s reported choice for a director suggests, the live-action version might just feature a darker vision altogether.
THRreports thatJuan Carlos Fresnadillois in negotiations with the studio to direct the picture;Bryan Cogman(Game of Thrones)wrote the scriptandBrigham Taylor(The Jungle Book) is producing withLouis Provostoverseeing. There are no details available on the movie’s plot or tone just yet, but you don’t bring in the director of horror/thrillers like28 Weeks LaterandIntrudersfor a whimsical, musical take.
What’s of equal interest here is the fact that Disney’s now working two varying King Arthur projects. There’s this one, and then there’sThe Merlin Sagathat hasRidley Scottcircling. One wonders if the two projects might eventually intersect withThe Merlin Sagatelling the tale of a younger Merlin’s adventures whileThe Sword in the Stonesees the wizened wizard guiding a young Arthur and mentoring the boy as he sets out on the path to becoming king after pulling the titular sword from the titular stone.
Elsewhere, recent efforts to spark interest in the King Arthur lore have been pretty ineffectual, due in part to their rather wild adaptations; look toTransformers: The Last KnightandGuy Ritchie’sKing Arthur: Legend of the Sword. But an Arthurian mythology franchise with Disney as a backer may actually be a winning combination. Granted, the inspiration comes from two different book sources, but seeing as both draw fromSir Thomas Malory’s 15th century tales, I think Disney could probably blur the edges between the two, if they’re so inclined.
Would you like to see a King Arthur-inspired Disney universe? How do you feel about Carlos Fresnadillo at the helm ofThe Sword in the Stone? Let us know in the comments!
